Wrong Answer, Dumb-ass [ 1 ] (Thiam)

Chapter 41 (Part Two)

After helping Melissa wash the dishes and put everything back where it belongs, the group all sit in the living room with a movie on, none of them pay much attention to it though, they're all focused on being ready in case Liam needs them which no doubt he will, a person doesn't just go through something like that and come out unscathed, every so often they hear the floorboards squeak as Liam tosses and turns in the bed either he can't get comfortable or he can't sleep.

"Did the nurses give him any medication?" Lydia asks in a gentle voice, leaning closer to Melissa so as not to cause much of a disturbance in the group.

"Yeah, he's got antibiotics and anti inflammatory tablets as well just in case, because of his arm," just the thought of Liam's arm makes her shudder, "plus some vitamins because of the lack of nutrition he received."

They all nod along not entirely sure what to say, although dear friends with Liam Hayden and Mason feel oddly out of place even though this is basically their second home, fiddling with her hands nervously in her lap Hayden leans across the sofa to Mason whispering in his ear, "I think we should leave, I love Liam but this is way out of our depth," pulling away slightly Hayden looks into Mason's eyes and breathes a sigh of relief when she noticeably see's the stress leave his face.

"Hey listen, we love Liam but I think everything that's happened in the last twenty four hours is a little out of our depth, I'm going to take Hayden home but keep us updated on how he is, if you need us for anything just call," standing awkwardly Mason helps Hayden to her feet, chewing on the inside of his cheek guilt starts bubbling up in his stomach and Mason wonders if maybe he should just drop Hayden off and then come back, although the faces of his friends remain unchanged - they don't appear mad at him for chickening out.

As they silently leave the living room, Mason hears someone following them to the front door, "Mason," Melissa calls out from behind him gently, turning to look at her Mason wonders whether she's going to scold him or call him a bad friend.

"Look Melissa I'm sorry but I just. . .I'm sorry."

"It's okay, I get it," both Hayden and Mason are pulled into a warm hug, one full of love and understanding, because if they knew anything about Melissa McCall it's that she's the most understanding woman on earth, for instance when Liam used to act up at school she understood why, unlike most of his teachers, when Scott and Stiles got detention and she had to pick them up Melissa was the only one who willingly listened to their side of the story and understood why their actions led them to detention, yet saved a student from being abducted, that's why Melissa's not mad at the two young teenagers because understandably a lot's happened and they too need a break, plus time to get their heads straight because Liams recovery and PTSD isn't going to be easy. "You're both welcome over any time you guys know that, thank you for everything you've both done; without you and the help of the others we may never have found Liam," kissing them both on the forehead she ushers them out the door and into the night.

Throughout the early evening everyone in the house goes and checks on Liam, being sure not to cause too much noise which might distress him or cause nightmares, he'll already have enough of those to last him a lifetime, each time someone goes up they bring a post-it note with a small message on the front and attach it to the wall next to his bed, positive affirmations are known to increase a person's health when they're at their lowest and Lydia hopes that maybe this'll assist in Liams growth towards the future. "Hey Corey it's your turn to go up," murmers Lydia gently with her eyelids slowly closing from exhaustion, "if you need us just call."

Grabbing his post-it note Corey walks through the archway leading out of the living room and upstairs, his hand glidding lightly over the banister to keep his balance steady just in case he loses his footing, the last thing he wants is to be the reason why Liam wakes up screaming because he heard Corey potentially falling down the stairs, once on the landing and away from the stairs he quietly pads down the hall wearing his T-rex socks that he stole from Theo a couple of months ago when doing the laundry one afternoon whilst he was away at the studio, pushing his hair out of his face nervously he arrives in front of Liam's door and slowly pushes the handle down and flinches when he hears the squeak of the hinges as the door glides effortlessly open.